as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something
bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bystanders
In footage posted to X by Mayor Eric Adams on Friday, dozens of bystanders can be seen filming as Jaden is savagely beaten and then shot.
—
Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
The mass shooting — unheard of in wartime Kyiv following Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — took place in a busy central district of the city, outside an apartment block and a nearby shopping center, leaving bodies on a crowded street as bystanders fled for safety.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Several people could be seen punching and kicking others as bystanders urged them to stop.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
Speaking to reporters at the scene, Klymenko said that the gunman had killed four bystanders while on the street, before entering the supermarket and killing a fifth person.
—CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
In the shadows of the glowing blue police lights, bystanders embraced one another across from the crime scene.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Saturday's shooting came just weeks after six bystanders were injured in another shooting on Atlantic Avenue, according to the Virginian-Pilotand WAVY.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Jurors later saw body camera video capturing the aftermath — Arielle bloodied, disoriented and struggling to stay conscious as bystanders tried to help her.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
The mass shooting — unheard of in wartime Kyiv following Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — took place in a busy central district of the city, outside an apartment block and a nearby shopping center, leaving bodies on a crowded street as bystanders fled for safety.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Several people could be seen punching and kicking others as bystanders urged them to stop.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
Speaking to reporters at the scene, Klymenko said that the gunman had killed four bystanders while on the street, before entering the supermarket and killing a fifth person.
—CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
In the shadows of the glowing blue police lights, bystanders embraced one another across from the crime scene.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Saturday's shooting came just weeks after six bystanders were injured in another shooting on Atlantic Avenue, according to the Virginian-Pilotand WAVY.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Jurors later saw body camera video capturing the aftermath — Arielle bloodied, disoriented and struggling to stay conscious as bystanders tried to help her.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystanders
Noun
-
In court filings, the Newton Police Department has disputed the allegations, saying officers responded to multiple calls about roughly 100 spectators at Heartbreak Hill who were impeding the race.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Admission is free for spectators.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Most observers would say that this version of Bentancur was not quite as effective as the one seen under Antonio Conte, more able to cover ground in the middle and drive Tottenham forward.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Trump’s decision to pick her was viewed by some political observers as a way to appeal to voters who are members of or affiliated with labor organizations.—
Seung Min Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As in the less conclusive first season, it feels engineered to deliver the characters to happy, or relatively happy, endings, and to send viewers out not regretting their investment of time.—
Robert Lloyd,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
While the decisions may come as a surprise to viewers, Netflix leadership has long maintained that renewals hinge on performance.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bystanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystanders. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
